26/01/2004 (Agence Europe) - In an interview with the agency DPA, European Commissioner for Budget Michaele Schreyer criticised the initiative by six countries wishing to limit the EU budget to 1% of Gross Domestic Product. "One percent would be an effective reduction, if we are to welcome twelve new Member States by 2007", she said. She also warned against excessive expenditure, noting: "it would be a very realistic position if the Commission, despite enlargement and expectations of Europe, did not propose increasing the ceiling of the budget, when it makes its proposals on the financial perspectives" (expected on 10 February).